Michael Brooks
Rangers Football Club has historically embodied a Protestant, Unionist, and Monarchist identity, with the club and its fanbase being associated with British Loyalism in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The club has long been associated with anti-Catholic sentiment and had an unofficial policy of refusing to sign Catholic players until 1989, when Graeme Souness, the Rangers manager at the time, signed Mo Johnston, a former Celtic player and openly Catholic. This marked a turning point, and since then, the club has signed several Catholic players and has officially sought to combat sectarianism among its supporters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of signing a Catholic player | 1989 |
| Name of the Catholic player | Mo Johnston |
| Manager who signed the Catholic player | Graeme Souness |
| Year Rangers was demoted to the fourth tier of Scottish soccer | 2012 |
| Reason for demotion | Financial misdoings and eventual bankruptcy |
| Former Rangers manager | Walter Smith |
| Year of Walter Smith's death | 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Rangers F.C. and its association with anti-Catholicism
Rangers F.C. is a professional football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, and was founded in 1872. The club has historically embodied a stark Protestant, Unionist, and Monarchist identity, intertwined with British Loyalism in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This identity is deeply rooted in the club's history and has contributed to its association with anti-Catholicism.
From the early 20th century onwards, Rangers adopted an unofficial policy of not signing Catholic players or employing Catholics in other prominent roles. This policy was driven by the club's desire to maintain its Protestant, Unionist identity in contrast to its rival, Celtic F.C., which was viewed as an Irish Catholic club. The policy was not publicly acknowledged until 1965 when a former player, Ralph Brand, revealed that Rangers operated a Protestants-only signing policy. Despite this, some Catholic players did play for Rangers, often keeping their religious beliefs secret.
The club's anti-Catholic sentiment was not limited to its signing policy. Rangers' fans have a history of engaging in hooliganism, thuggery, and violence, often accompanied by anti-Catholic abuse. This behaviour has been directed not only at rival fans but also at Catholic churches in Glasgow. The display of Union Flags and Ulster banners at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium further reinforces the club's Unionist and Loyalist identity.
In 1986, Graeme Souness became the Rangers manager and declared his intention to build a team based on merit rather than religion. In 1989, Rangers signed their first major openly Catholic player, Mo Johnston, signalling a shift away from their previous anti-Catholic signing policy. This move caused controversy among some fans, with some burning their season tickets in protest, while others welcomed the change. Despite this, Rangers continued to be associated with anti-Catholic sentiment, with some fans displaying far-right, ultra-unionist, and bigoted behaviour.
In recent years, Rangers have taken steps to promote social inclusion and urge fans to avoid offensive songs, banners, and salutes through initiatives like the 'Pride Over Prejudice' campaign. However, the club's long history of anti-Catholicism and the persistent behaviour of a minority of its fans have contributed to its ongoing association with anti-Catholic sentiment.
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Rangers' signing of Catholic player, Mo Johnston
In 1989, Scottish football was shaken by a groundbreaking and controversial transfer that challenged deep-rooted religious traditions and sparked intense media scrutiny. This was the transfer of Catholic player Mo Johnston to Rangers Football Club, one of the two major Glasgow clubs with a historically Protestant identity. This move not only had sporting implications but also carried significant social and cultural ramifications, given the sensitive religious divide in Scottish football.
Rangers had a long-standing tradition of not signing players from a Catholic background, which was reflective of the wider religious divide in Scottish society, with Celtic catering more to Catholics and Rangers to Protestants. This unwritten rule had existed for decades and was a source of tension and division between the two clubs and their fans. However, with the appointment of Graeme Souness as player-manager, a shift in policy occurred, driven by his modernizing vision for the club.
Souness, a Protestant himself, was determined to build a successful team without religious discrimination. He recognized Johnston's talent and saw him as a key addition to his squad. At the time, Johnston was a high-profile player with a successful career in England and a Scottish international. He had been linked with a move to Rangers' rivals, Celtic, which would have been the more traditional choice given his religious background. However, Souness intervened and convinced Johnston to join Rangers, offering him a lucrative contract and the opportunity to be part of a revolutionary change at the club.
The signing of Mo Johnston sent shockwaves through Scottish football and divided opinions. Many Rangers fans welcomed the move, recognizing the talent and potential impact Johnston could bring to the team. They saw it as a sign of the club's progression and a rejection of outdated discriminatory practices. However, there was also a significant backlash. Some Rangers fans felt betrayed by the club's departure from tradition and saw it as a violation of their cultural identity. There were protests outside Ibrox Stadium, and some fans even returned their season tickets in disgust.
The media frenzy surrounding the transfer was intense, with headlines and debates raging for weeks. It brought to the surface deep-seated religious tensions and forced a conversation about the role of religion in Scottish football. The move was seen by some as a bold step towards a more inclusive and modern game, while others viewed it as a betrayal of tradition and an unnecessary provocation. The controversy even extended beyond football, sparking discussions about religious discrimination and tolerance in Scottish society more broadly.
In the end, Mo Johnston's signing proved to be a pivotal moment in Scottish football history. It signaled a shift towards a more inclusive era, challenging outdated religious discrimination and helping to reshape the identity of one of Scotland's most prominent football clubs. While the move caused controversy and divided opinions, it ultimately contributed to a broader conversation about tolerance and diversity, both in sport and beyond.
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Graeme Souness, the manager who signed Mo Johnston
In 1989, Graeme Souness, the manager of Scottish football club Rangers, made a signing that would change the course of the club's history and challenge the religious traditions of the team. Mo Johnston, a talented Catholic forward, became the first high-profile player of that faith to sign for Rangers in decades. This move by Souness sent a clear message that ability, not religion, would be the deciding factor in team selection.
Souness, a former Rangers player himself, returned to the club as manager in 1986. During his playing career, he had been part of the successful Rangers team that won domestic honors and reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1967. As a manager, he was determined to rebuild the club's dominance in Scottish football and make an impact in Europe. Souness was known for his strong personality and no-nonsense approach, which often saw him court controversy.
When Souness signed Mo Johnston from French club Nantes, it caused a stir in Scottish football and beyond. Rangers had a long-standing tradition of not signing players of the Catholic faith, which was closely linked to the club's Protestant and unionist identity. This unwritten rule had been in place for decades and was a sensitive issue for the club and its supporters. By signing Johnston, Souness challenged this tradition and made it clear that he was willing to break with convention to build a successful team.
Johnston, a Scottish international, had previously played for Rangers' rivals Celtic, where he won league titles and cups. His move to Rangers was therefore controversial not only because of his religion but also because he had crossed the Old Firm divide. Souness, however, saw beyond these factors and recognized Johnston's talent and the impact he could have on the team. The manager was sending a message that Rangers were a modern, inclusive club that would not be held back by outdated traditions.
The signing of Mo Johnston by Graeme Souness had a significant impact on Rangers and Scottish football. It marked a turning point in the club's history, signaling a more inclusive era and helping to dismantle religious barriers in the sport. Souness' bold move demonstrated his commitment to building a successful team and his willingness to make controversial decisions to achieve his goals. This episode in Rangers' history remains an important reminder of how talent and merit can transcend divisive traditions.
Graeme Souness' tenure as Rangers manager was a successful one, as he led the club to numerous honors, including three Scottish league titles, before departing in 1991. His legacy includes not only these trophies but also a shift in the club's culture, challenging outdated traditions and paving the way for a more inclusive and successful future. The signing of Mo Johnston remains a symbolic moment in Rangers' history, representing the manager's bold vision and determination to build a winning team.
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Rangers' rivalry with Celtic F.C
The rivalry between Rangers and Celtic F.C. is well-known and deeply embedded in Scottish culture. The two clubs are collectively known as the "Old Firm" and their rivalry has been described as one of the most intense in world football. The rivalry is not just limited to sporting competition but also reflects and contributes to political, social, and religious divisions in Scotland.
The first Old Firm match was won by Celtic, and there have been over 400 matches played between the two clubs since. The rivalry between the two clubs has resulted in some of the worst riots and greatest tragedies in sporting history. The tension between the two sets of supporters runs deep and has often erupted into violence. One such incident occurred after the 1980 Scottish Cup Final, which acted as a springboard for the conflict between the two clubs. The riots after this game brought to light the extent of the tension between the two groups, and the violence has continued to plague the rivalry to this day.
The religious aspect of the rivalry is also significant. Rangers' traditional support is largely drawn from the Protestant Unionist community, while Celtic's traditional support is mainly from the Catholic community. The foundation of Celtic, a club with a distinct Irish Catholic identity, led to Rangers adopting a Protestant, Unionist identity. From the early 20th century onwards, Rangers had an unofficial policy of not signing Catholic players or employing Catholics in other prominent roles. This policy drew criticism and social and media pressure, and in 1989, Rangers signed their first major openly Catholic player, Mo Johnston, whose transfer drew widespread attention due to his religion and status as a former Celtic player.
The rivalry between the two clubs has also been fuelled by their sporting successes. They are the most successful and popular clubs in Scotland, having won a combined 110 Scottish League championships (55 each), 76 Scottish Cups, and 50 Scottish League Cups. The two clubs have also experienced financial difficulties, with Rangers entering administration and being liquidated in 2012, and Celtic winning nine consecutive league titles while Rangers climbed back up the divisions.
The Old Firm rivalry has fuelled assaults and violent attacks, and some deaths have been directly related to the aftermath of matches between the two clubs. Despite these issues, the rivalry has contributed to the enduring worldwide appeal of matches between the two clubs.
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Rangers' anti-Catholic signing policy
Between the 1930s and 1970s, the Scottish football club Rangers had an unwritten rule that the club would not sign any player who was a Roman Catholic. This was because Rangers were viewed as a Protestant, Unionist club, in contrast to their rivals, Celtic, who were viewed as an Irish Catholic club.
The policy was not publicly acknowledged until 1965 when former player Ralph Brand revealed it to the News of the World. Two years later, when vice-chairman Matt Taylor was asked about the club's anti-Catholicism, he stated: " [It is] part of our tradition ... we were formed in 1873 as a Protestant boys club. To change now would lose us considerable support."
Despite the policy, some Catholic players did play for Rangers. South African Don Kitchenbrand kept his Catholicism secret, and Laurie Blyth left the club after his Catholic faith was discovered. The policy also extended to non-Catholic players who married Catholics. In 1980, for example, Graham Fyfe said he had to leave Rangers because he had married a Catholic woman.
In 1989, Rangers signed their first major openly Catholic player, Mo Johnston, a former Celtic player. This drew widespread attention not only due to his religion but also because he had agreed to return to Celtic before Rangers outbid their rivals. Rangers manager Graeme Souness declared his intent to build a team based on merit, saying that signing players of another religion or a different skin colour "felt completely normal".
Since Johnston's signing, Catholic players have become commonplace at Rangers. In 1999, Lorenzo Amoruso became the first Catholic captain of the club. In 2003, Rangers launched its 'Pride Over Prejudice' campaign to promote social inclusion, urging fans to wear only traditional Rangers colours and avoid offensive songs, banners, and salutes.
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